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The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has found itself at a crossroads over its support for President William Ruto in the face of growing public discontent against his administration.

The party, founded by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in 2005, has historically positioned itself as a formidable counterbalance to the ruling government.

However, in recent months, it has had to grapple with complex political dynamics, especially as President Ruto’s government extends overtures of cooperation amid increasing public dissatisfaction with his rule.

Recent political developments in Kenya have thrown the party into disarray, pitting some members against each other in a fierce debate over their relationship with the Ruto administration.

In recent weeks, senior party leaders – such as National Assembly Majority Leader Junet Mohamed, former chairman and now Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi – have thrown their weight behind Ruto, even as some claim the party risks diluting its own support in key bases by backing the Kenya Kwanza leader.

“Ruto and the entire Rift Valley supported us in 2007. It is only fair for us to support him as a community in the next General Election,” Mbadi said recently.

Unlike previously, Mbadi and Wandayi have said, Ruto is commanding a massive following in Nyanza this time round.

Wanga, who recently hosted President Ruto in her county, publicly declared that she would support him in 2027.

The party’s relationship with President Ruto began mid-last year, after four of its leading lights were appointed to the Cabinet in a bid to save the regime from crumbling at the height of Generation Z protests.

Influential position

They believed that by aligning with the Ruto government, they could secure crucial positions and influence policy from within and help sustain the status quo.

Those in favour of the collaboration with Dr Ruto cite development projects in their constituencies and employment of individuals from the region to key and influential positions in government.

Those who support of the newfound relations argue that working with the Ruto administration could yield benefits for their people, especially in development.

Among them were several professionals that Ruto had tapped to join his administration, bringing a sense of hope that real change could occur through broad-based cooperation.

The President went on to appoint Mbadi , Wandayi, Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs) and Beatrice Akul (Regional and East African Affairs).

Some of the party’s senior members, such as Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o, are now expressing their misgivings about the collaboration with Ruto unless the substantive issues they are raising are adequately addressed.

Nyong’o claimed that the Ruto administration is oppressive and dictatorial and isn’t ready for constructive criticism. Nyong’o claims the government is using the instruments of power to subdue critics.

He warned that if abductions of government critics don’t end, he would mobilise the party’s supporters and members to join anti-Ruto demonstrations across the country.

Last week, Raila hit the the headlines when he told Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to resign over what said was his failure to stop the abductions.

But in a move ostensibly aimed at dissociating himself from the wrongs the government is being accused of, Raila said ODM had not entered into any political pact with Ruto, some of the party’s members support the President.

“We are not in a coalition agreement. We only agreed that for the sake of our unity in diversity and the interests of Kenya that supersedes vested individual interests, we help save Kenya from sliding into anarchy in the hands of the unruly Gen Z who almost brought the country to its knees,” Raila stated.

‘Oppressive and authoritarian’

His comments came days after he met President Ruto in Homa Bay and told him to his face to end the reported abductions.

Some ODM leaders accuse the President’s government of being oppressive and authoritarian and trying to silence dissent.

Nyong’o, the acting party leader, has warned about what he said were the dangers of aligning with a government that had shown a penchant for intimidation.

The governor expressed frustrations many ODM members had.

“We will not be silenced to speak the truth and our minds to be set free. This regime has trampled on our rights, and the frequent abductions of critics are a testament to the dictatorship we face,” he said.

“If we do not stand up now, we will lose everything we have fought for.”